Search - Kleiber, Berliner Philharmoniker, Krauss :: Johann Strauss Celebration

Great Conductors of the 1930s direct Johann Strauss.

John Austin | Kangaroo Ground, Australia | 04/22/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Those who delight in the music of Johann Strauss Jnr will enjoy this Teldec Cd which provides an opportunity to hear how some of the great European conductors interpreted and recorded the music for the Telefuncun label in the 1930s. First comes Erich Kleiber (1890-1956), father of Carlos Kleiber. Kleiber favours fast speeds and rushing to winning posts, but lingers lovingly over the first main theme of "An der schönen, blauen Donau". "Wein, Weib und Gesang", Strauss's longest waltz, is here not carrying most of its introduction, allowing for more leisurely speeds and more repeats. Also truncated is the Intermezzo from "Tausend und eine Nacht". Although not acknowledged here, the conductor Ernst Reiterer (1851-1921) is part-creator of this beautiful work. An attempt was made, after Strauss's death, to re-stage his first operetta, "Indigo und die vierzig Räuber". A better libretto was provided, other changes were made, and the new-look version was titled "Tausend und eine Nacht". It was for this 1906 version that Reiterer concocted the so-called Intermezzo, using two themes from Strauss's original score and creating a full-length piece of nearly eight minutes. It's essence is well conveyed here, and the 1932 recording is wonderfully luminous.Selmar Meyrowitz leads the last of the Berlin Philharmonic's performances, a complete and wonderfully spontaneous version of the "Kaiser-Walzer". After a snappy Berlin Staatsoper performance of the march from "Der Zigeunerbaron" comes three performances from Vienna directed by Clemens Krauss. Krauss it was who instigated the famous New Year's Day concerts in Vienna's Musikvereinsaal, still enjoyed today by millions worldwide on TV. With Krauss conducting, and the Vienna Philharmonic performing, you get the feeling that every phrase, every idea has been carefully thought about, and the performances are exquisitely crafted. Rarely has the "Ägyptischer Marsch" had so much care lavished on it."